WELL, I GUESS IT'S SOMETHING – AT 11:02 A.M. ET:  The Saudi lobby in America, which has graced the bank accounts of a number of former U.S. officials, has done a fine job of presenting Saudi Arabia as a moderate friend of the United States...never quite explaining why 15 of the 19 9-11 hijackers came from the Saudi kingdom.  In fact, Saudi Arabia is the world's leading exporter of radical Islam.

So, whenever something good happens in the oil-rich country, we note it, as much in amusement as anything else.  You can be sure the press releases will be flying this morning, announcing that Saudi Arabia has gone democratic.  From London's Telegraph:

Saudi King Abdullah has given the kingdom's women the right to vote for first time in nationwide local elections, due in 2015.

The king said in an annual speech on Sunday before his advisory assembly, or Shura Council, that Saudi women will be able to run and cast ballots in the 2015 municipal elections.

Abdullah says women will also be appointed to "join the all-male" Shura Council.

Saudi Arabia held its first-ever municipal elections in 2005.

The kingdom will hold its next municipal elections on Thursday, but women are not able to vote or run at this time.

Women rights activists have long fought to gain the right to vote in the kingdom that applies a strict version of Sunni Islam and bans women from driving or travelling without the consent of a male guardian.

Yeah.  Apparently not much change in that no-driving ban or going out without a male escort.  But who are we to judge, right?  It's another cultural expression. 

We're happy to see a bit of progress.  But the condition of women, and minorities, in Saudi Arabia is still disgraceful.  There are, for example, no churches or synagogues in the royal Saudi kingdom because none are permitted. 

When you have oil, and can spread money around American universities, who needs freedom?

Of course, we thank the gracious king for his kindness, and are confident that he'll stop the next scheduled stoning of a woman.

September 25, 2011